San Miniato 30 July by bus and train

Time to explore Toscana, Tuscany. We planned a trip to a town San Miniato. When we arrived at the station in Pisa we had forgotten the name of the town and had to consult our customer services man yet again to find out where we were going. Now he just sighs and helps us. We consulted him quite a few times while trying to find train routes for Calle.

Train and bus and an hour later we are in San Miniato. What attracted us to Miniato was a line in a brochure " San Miniato is a Slow Food town in the heart of an area that is famous for it's food and wine." Among local delicacies is the white truffle, which we smelt but did not taste.

Carl with a statue of a truffle hunter and his dog.

San Miniato has an interesting history. In 713 the Longoboards built a church to the matyr Miniato, and the town has therefore German origins since the Middle Ages. 

In the following 5 centuries San Miniato grew as a medieval defensive wall since Otto I Duke of Saxony, in 962  (who we remember from Magdaburg) made it become one of the centres of the imperial administration.

By the end of the 14 th century San Miniato had to abide by the authority of the new Florentine Signoria. At the end of the 19 th century San Miniato was a well established town. During the Second World War the German army destroyed the tower of Frederick II, which was rebuilt in 1957.

During the Florentine time, 1622, the Grand Duchess Maria Maddalena of Austria, wife of Cosimo dei Medici, promoted San Manioto making it place to " see" !

San Miniato is on the via Francigena, a pilgrim route. There are many, many churches and museums here, with paintings and articles from medieval times.  And a castle in the town Fredrick II, Duke of Swabia built in 1218.

There were not that many restaurants to choose from but we found a  good one on Piazza Popolo.

Sat next to a large family who were highly amused by Carl's usual tactics. On the other table were two Norwegian ladies, about 70,  who had come to the area to see a concert by Andrea Bocelli in his hometown, not far from here. Particurly one of them was very impressed that we had a Norwegian boat. She said that she had owned a Nidelv which she, her husband and kids had sailed around the Norwegian and Swedish coasts. Carl says that she probably murdered her husband because he dragged her and three kids around on a boat  and that she is now living a free life!   Such insight Carl has.

Antipasti, a delicious peach marinade.

   Primo ricotta cheese, aubergine and anchovy

Secondo, linguini and smoked tartar.

The Piazza Popolo.

Back "home" in Marina di Pisa , a full moon which we see for the third time on this trip.

Marina di Piza 29 July

We have been in Marina di Pisa for one week. The plan was to leave on Monday after Calle's return to Sweden, but because of problems with his passport we have stayed, plus that the waves and wind have been so wild that we cannot leave. We hope that the sea has calmed down by Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime we enjoy being in Tuscany!

The Arno River, which flows through Florence and Pisa reaches the sea in Marina di Pisa. Our Marina is called Boccadarno, mouth of the Arno and is situated right at the mouth. Along the mouth fishermen have small wooden huts from which they cast enormous nets into the river mouth. Very rough today and we wonder how they reach their huts.

The entrance to our Marina. The waves have calmed down a bit but the wind and waves are expected to increase again by midnight. 

This is what it looked like earlier today. 

Even Carl admits that it is a bit to rough. 

Marina Boccadarno with big Bocca in the foreground.

Leslie considering the waves and deciding whether mutiny is the best path of action.

The fisherman's huts in the mouth of the Arno river.

Lellebelle bobbing away in the Marina.

The bar/ restaurant in the Marina. Very pleasant. Leslie with two Aperol Spritz. 

Last night a physiotherapist or a psychologist, we could not make out which, gave a talk about pharmacia, physiologi, terapi, multi tutti of everything was all we could understand.

Rome to Marina di Pisa 28 July via Livorno

The train from Rome to Pisa stops at Livorno, about 10 km away from Marina di Pisa. We decided to stop over and take a look at the town. We know that there are busses from Livorna to Pisa, which stop at Marina di Pisa. And Carl promised me lunch. (Which turned out be a pizza slice on a sidewalk cafe, but I insisted on getting a chocolate ice cream, medium, not small, which was the most delicious ice cream I have tasted)

We had heard from Heikell that the largest bridge in the world was to be found in 

Livorno.  At first glance, no bridges in sight, but then we found out that the Piazza de Republica is the bridge. The photo shows the canal passing under the bridge (piazza.). The bridge over the canal is about 200 m wide. 

The four Moors or Quattro Mori is Livornos most popular monument. The statue of Ferdinando I dei Medici founder of Livorno and Grand Duke of Tuscany was made in marble and completed 1599. It commemorates his victory over the moorish pirates who roamed the entire Mediterranean. The image of the monument has been reproduced many times in old prints and in the works of Macchialo artists. It is said that from a particular spot the noses of all four moors can be seen. Finding this spot is supposed to bring good luck. The photo found this spot and we are now waiting for our good luck.

The story goes that the sculptor used two slaves as models for the monument. As reward they were freed. According to one account in Google one of them moved to Florence, stared a family and used to bring his children to look at the monument.

We passed by the public garden which was laid out in a park in 1854. This park used to contain many animals, amongst others the famous bear known as Gigi Balla, dancing bear. The famous local song writer, Bobo Rondelli, dedicated a song to Gigi Balla, which can heard on YouTube. Great song :-(

I gave my rug sack to Calle with the intention of buying a new one sometime. On the 

Piazza Republica we found a shop specialising in rugby clothes and accessories. Turns out the Livorno is a rugby haven and people are crazy about buying rugby paraphernalia. Most popular are the All Blacks and then the Springboks. The owner of the shop designs the clothes himself and I must say the design is better than those T-shirts one can buy at the airports in SA. So there the rug sack was right in front of me and I could not resist buying it.

We travelled by bus along the seafront. All along the seafront for kilometres and kilometres are lovely beaches and hotels. Very green and luscious. Maybe this is why we have previously heard of Livorno.

Back in Marina di Pisa, the sea is wild with the waves breaking over the breakwater.

The entrance to our Marina is narrow and very turbulent. At about 7 pm we went to see the waves and found a yacht entering the Marina in very strong wind and breaking waves. 

Very exciting and very nerve racking for the captain. 

The yacht was guided in by a "marinero" in a rubber dingy, no life jacket and and the boat flying over the waves. The Mariners work for the Marina and are around to assist with everything. The yacht made it!

The beach front of Marina di Pisa

A 4 kilometre long stretch lined with these houses with the crashing sea on the other side of the street.

We needed a break after watching the yacht and stopped at the New York cafe. Here, and like all bars in the towns north of Rome, you get almost a whole meal of buffet- style tapas, every night, not only on Fridays like in Malmo.

Turns out the New York cafe is the bikers hang out. After a while we felt that we were missing our motorbikes and leather clothing and decided to move. Especially when we discovered the pirate flag flying on top of the New York cafe!

Besides the 4 km long beach front, Marina di Pisa is only about 4 streets wide. More lovely buildings.

Marina di Pisa to Florence and Rome, 26-27 July.

Have now finally organised Calle's trip back to Gothenburg. This means an overnight in Florence, a trip to the embassy in Rome to get travel documents and another night in Rome.

Took the bus up to Michaelangelo place to see David, not the original, which is in a museum and closed on Sunday evening.

But he is magnificent, even as a copy.

The famous bridge, Ponto Vechio, in Florence.

A musical interlude on the bridge. So wonderful Leslie had to give a few euro cents.

Magnificent, beautiful Florence. One side of the Duomo.

A procession passed by with drums, flag waving and flag throwing and people in period costumes.

Early morning train to Rome

The Swedish ambassadors residence in Rome. Wow! But thankfull that they are there, considering that we need assistance sometimes.

Carl and Calle outside Swedish embassy where the very friendly and helpful staff helped Calle with all necessary documents to get home.

Rooftops of Rome from our hotel window.

A family had watermelon for desert. Looked so cool and delicious. 

Off to the airport bus 0.600

Goodbye Calle, now it is only Ryan Air to tackle.

Goodbye Calle and thanks for joining us for a wonderful 10 days.

Marina di Pisa 25 July

I

Woke up at 4.30 to thunder, lightning, wind and rain.

The storm increased and decreased in intensity the whole morning. This is only the second time it has rained since we started in May. Made it a bit cooler though, for a while.

This is what the streets looked like after the rain.

By afternoon it was sunny again and we went for a swim. And the water was cool. Up to now the sea has been sort of lukewarm.

Marina di Pisa getting ready for a festival this evening.

And the smurfs in Metso shirts getting ready to visit Florence, by train, not boat.